Syria minted 1 piastre and 2 1/2 piastre coins with the hole at the center in nickel-brass and aluminum-bronze. The patterns on both coins are essentially the same, and the values are comparable for both denominations and all dates. The 1940 2 1/2 piastre is a little more common than the other coins, so it commands slightly less value. The 1933 and 1940 1 piastre coins are a little less common than the other coins, so they command slightly more value.